It’s a delight to taste these sub-regional expressions of Sauvignon Blanc from Rapaura Springs. A set of wines that are pioneering the concept of regional variation – Rohe translates as Territory in Te Reo Maori – in Marlborough. Appellation Marlborough Wine are furthering this idea with a map showing those “subregions with distinct microclimates and stylistic features” as John Buchanan, Chair of AMW describes. This is my third year tasting the ‘Rohe’ series.
A very pale lemon-green in the glass, with aromatics that are unmistakable once the wine is opened. Blackcurrant, passionfruit, sorrel, tomato leaf, lemon zest and green melon on the nose. Intensely bright and vibrant on the palate, with a saline acidity lifting those pithy fruit flavours even higher. Elegant and mouth-watering, yet complex and intriguing. A crushed shell minerality sits alongside a spicy pepper and even a little funky phenolic as the finish line approaches. Last year I referred to “the chiselled, energetic finish – long and sweetening” and I see no reason to change that this year either. It’s a cracker. 94pts
